By Matt Phelps
The Mercer Island girls lacrosse team had a good showing in California over the weekend during the Western States Tournament with only one loss. But that loss came from an old nemesis: the Bainbridge Island varsity team 7-4.
But the three-point loss signified a positive for the team as well — they’re getting closer to the defending Washington state champions.
The Islanders lost every meeting to the Spartans last season. But the loss by three points is half the deficit Mercer Island lost by last season during the state finals.
Islander Dani Zorn led the squad with two goals during the game against Bainbridge Island, as Carolyn Peterson and Tanya Swarts added one goal each. Kelsey Mesher had six saves in goal.
Zorn continues to tear apart opposing defenses as she had 16 goals in six games over the weekend in California.
The Islanders defeated all the out of state teams they played during the tournament.
Mercer Island defeated Gunn High School 12-1 as Ali Jurkovich and Zorn combined for six goals.
The Islanders won over Conejo High School 6-5 behind five goal saves by Mesher. Zorn led the team with three goals, while Tanya Swarts had two scores and Jurkovich had one goal.
Against Thatcher High School, Carolyn Peterson and Zorn earned hat tricks for Mercer Island with three goals each in the 6-3 victory. Mesher contributed eight saves for the Islanders.
Mercer Island was relentless against the Bainbridge Islander junior varsity squad. The 16-2 victory was fueled by a balanced offensive attack, with Zorn scoring four goals, Mallory Larson earning two goals, and Lauren Gibson, Swarts and Kate Elston gaining two goals each.
The only other Washington state team that Mercer Island played was Seattle Prep. The Islanders won the game 10-4 despite no goals from Zorn. Elston led the offense with three goals, while Larson and Jurkovich had two goals each.
Thursday, the Islanders put on an offensive show against Overlake in a 16-10 victory. Zorn led the squad with five goals and three assists, while Elston, Peterson and Swarts scored three goals each and Gibson had two goals.
On March 28, the Islanders dismantled Bellevue 18-1. Mesher had three saves but very few shots were even fired at the Islander net as Mercer Island smothered the Wolverine’s offense. Swarts and Zorn led the team with five goals each.
Mercer Island played the Greenwood lacrosse program Tuesday (after Reporter deadline) and will travel to Riverview Park Thursday at 3:30 p.m. for a game with Holy Names before taking a week off for spring break.
